(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE, February 3, 2009) – The Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest presented by The Confederation Bridge is pleased to announce that the 4th Annual Air Canada Atlantic Snow Sculpting Championship is returning. For the first time Charlottetown will play host to teams from, Prince Edward Island across Canada, United States, Mexico and Russia.

It is with the support of Air Canada that this year will truly be an international event.  Teams from all across the world will come to compete for the top three cash prizes of: $2000 for 1st place standing, $750 for 2nd place, and $500 for the People’s Choice Award. In addition to all of the above, the first place team will receive an automatic advancement into the 2010 Quebec Winter Carnival International Snow Sculpting event.

 “Air Canada is pleased to partner with Tourism Charlottetown as the Official Airline for Jack Frost and presenting sponsor of the 4th Annual Air Canada Snow Sculpting Championship, “says Josee Leduc, Manager, Marketing Communications, Events & Tourism.

Lee Gauthier, CEO, Tourism Charlottetown and The Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership, explains, “Our research has shown that our snowy and cold weather in February, and our festival atmosphere, continues to offer an ideal venue for such an activity.” “We encourage everyone to get outside this winter in Charlottetown to enjoy the magic of the 4th Annual Air Canada Atlantic Snow Sculpting Championship.”

About the 2009 Sculptors:
Team USA/NY: Michael Robbins and Jerry Merrill. Robbins has attended 60 International Exhibitions and Events, 5 International Competitions, 10 USA National Competitions, and 16 NY State Competitions. His teammate Merrill has attended 10 International Exhibitions, 17 World Competition Events, 8 USA National Competitions, and 23 NY State Competitions.

Team Gart (Russia): First ever registrants from Russia in the Jack Frost Snow Sculpting competition, team Gart consists of two citizens of Penza, Russia; Gleb Tkachenko & team mate Artoym Cherykh. Both artisans have numerous symposiums, exhibitions and competitions under their belt. Team Gart looks forward to competing in PEI for their first time.
 
Team Mexico: Isabel Santamaria Torres & Jorge de Santiago Lopez Isabel Santamaria. Torres is a professional sculptress who teaches sculpting courses at the International Institute of Fine Arts, Mexico City and has participated in 44 International Sculpting Competitions and events in many different countries including: Alaska, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Italy, France, Peru and the USA. Jorge de Santiago Lopez has attended more than 40 National and International exhibitions in the following countries: Canada, France, USA, Puerto Rico, Italy and Mexico. He has won many awards including 1st place in France, and, 1st place and People’s Choice in Sarnia, Canada.

Team Waterman: Abe and Ben Waterman, local sculptors, reside in Caledonia, PEI. Their talents have won them 1st place standing at the Jack Frost Festival two years in a row. They also took part in the Quebec Winter Carnival International Snow Sculpting Competition in 2008 representing PEI, placing 4th.

Team New Brunswick: Albert F. Deveau has been a professional sculptor in wood, concrete, fiberglass, and bronze, since 1976. He has over 20 years experience in snow sculpting with 16 years in Quebec and 9 in Ottawa. He has won the People's Choice Award at the Quebec Winter Carnival 4 times. Team mate Daniel L. Deveau works full time for New Brunswick Power. His hobbies include wood working and cabinet making. He has 4 years experience in snow sculpting, along side his brother Albert in Quebec and Ottawa.
 
Team Corbett: Delayne Corbett was born in Nelson B.C., but currently lives in Victoria. He has been sculpting snow and ice for 8 years, all across Canada. He’s won and placed in several snow sculpting events winning a total of 10 awards at the Quebec Winter Carnival, as well as placing 1st and 2nd at the Jack Frost Festival.

Team Awesome: Manuel Quesnel & Colin Jennings. Manuel Quesnel was born and raised on PEI. He is a pastry chef by trade and has been sculpting food for 10 years, and sculpting snow for 1 year. Colin Jennings was born in Newfoundland and has lived in PEI for 21 years. He is an automotive technician and just began sculpting snow this year.

Team Gairloch: Heidi Waterman & Ahmon Katz. Heidi Waterman lives and works in Eastern Prince Edward Island. Heidi’s medium of choice is acrylics, but she has also worked with clay, wood, graphics, and sand. Ahmon Katz is a self-employed artist who lives and works on PEI. As a member of “Team PEI” he has represented the province in five National snow-sculpting competitions from 2002-2006. During their run, Team PEI earned themselves a People’s Choice Award, a second place award, as well as two first place awards. Ahmon works with a variety of materials to produce public and private sculpture commissions.

Become part of the Jack Frost Team! Join the cast of volunteers as an individual, in a group with your friends and family, community or sporting group. Tourism Charlottetown is looking for gates volunteers, ticket agents, site personnel for set-up and tear-down, plus many other exciting roles. Call MaryEllen Basha at
902-892-0421 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to get involved.  Volunteers will also receive one free weekend pass and a Jack Frost souvenir fleece scarf. 

Tickets are still available for The Jack Frost Children's WinterFest presented by the Confederation Bridge taking place February 13-15, 2009. Advance Weekend Tickets are available Island-wide at McDonald's Restaurants and Atlantic Superstores (and at participating Atlantic Superstores throughout the Maritimes.) Tickets are also for sale at The Bookmark in The Shops of Confederation Court Mall and the Confederation Bridge Office in Charlottetown; or call The Aliant Festival Hotline at 1-800-955-1864 or click www.jackfrostfest.com. Advance Weekend Tickets (valid Feb. 13-15) are $16 ($20 at the door) and Advance Sunday Tickets (valid Feb. 15 ONLY) are $11 ($14 at the door) plus taxes and a $1 service fee. Children 2 and under are free.  Tickets available while supplies last.
 
Jack Frost Hotel Packages are also now on sale, contact Destination PEI at 902-566-5466 for complete details.
 
Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest promises to be a family weekend not to be missed!! Come celebrate the magic of winter at the 5th Annual Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest presented by the Confederation Bridge. Visit online at www.jackfrostfest.com for complete details.